(2019-10-31)
Problem
Fresh installs of Windows 10 appear to have some kind of high-resolution sound enabled where quiet sounds are disproportionately quiet as compared to the loud sounds. This seems to happen to me with every windows install I do, and I have to figure it out every. single. time.
Solution, This Time, Maybe
Control Panel -> Manage Audio Devices -> Speakers -> Properties -> Enhancements -> Loudness Equalization: set to on.